MANILA — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday that death toll from widespread rain since January 2 rose to 38 after receiving reports that three more have died due to bad weather caused by several low-pressure areas (LPAs).
It said that 12 of these were recorded in the Zamboanga Peninsula, eight each in Bicol Region and Northern Mindanao, and seven in Eastern Visayas.
Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Davao Region, and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) registered one death each, the NDRRMC added.
The NDRRMC further said it already validated 19 of the total death cases and is still verifying the rest.
A total of 12 people were also injured from the inclement weather since the beginning of the year while five individuals remain missing to this day following continuous rain and floods.
Damage to agriculture, meanwhile, was pegged at P751.9 million, and to infrastructure, P280.2 million.
Several LPAs since January 2 brought extensive and persistent rain as the shear line and northeast monsoon – locally called amihan – likewise prevailed across the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said rain would still continue, notably in Palawan, the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao because the LPA off Davao City is expected to bring cloudy skies and scattered rain showers with thunderstorms in these areas. (John Eric Mendoza © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
